Huge Donation boosts Pool Project

A massive $100,000 donation from the Cambridge Lions Club means $800,00 has already been raised for the Cambridge pool project.

That leaves just $1.2 million more to go before the full fundraising target is met – and many months yet to achieve it.

Earlier this month Waipa District Council confirmed it would go ahead with the $16.6 million project with construction beginning early next year. The complex will include an upgrade of the existing outdoor pool, a new 10-lane indoor pool and learner’s pool, a hydrotherapy pool, spa and sauna and a children’s splash pad. There will be increased seating and a community room as well as car-parking and landscaping.

Waipa mayor Jim Mylchreest said he is confident the remaining money will be raised. The donation from Cambridge Lions was a huge “shot in the arm” for fundraising efforts and be believed it would be the first of more donations to come.

“It’s an incredibly generous gesture that will be of huge benefit to the community. The Lions’ donation is symbolic of the enormous local support for this project. We are very grateful and we thank Cambridge Lions for their foresight and generosity.”

Outgoing Cambridge Lions Club president Fred Hansen said the decision to donate to the pool project was an easy one for the club’s 83 members.

“This year Lions is 100 years old and all around the world clubs have sought to become involved in local legacy projects that will benefit people for years to come,” he said.

“Here in Cambridge we decided we wanted to do something that benefited our young people and our older people and the pool absolutely fits the bill given there is a hydrotherapy facility and a learner’s pool. This project will save lives by teaching kids how to swim, and it will make life much easier for our older people needing treatment. So it’s a fantastic match and we’re delighted to be involved.”

Much of the donated money had come from the Cambridge community, he said, via the Lion’s Shed store in Vogel Street.

“We do a number of things to raise funds but one of our most successful activities is recycling furniture and turning it into money,” Hansen said.

“Cambridge is a very generous community and because of that, we were able to put $165,000 back into the community in the last financial year, across a wide range of projects. The grant to the pool is a big donation, but it’s just one of the projects Lions have supported.”

The Lions donation will see one of the pools at the new complex named the Lions Learner’s Pool for the next 20 years. Donations towards the pool have also been received from the Brian Perry Charitable Trust ($300,000) and Trust Waikato ($400,000).